In poll bound Karnataka four dry days on cards

The Karnataka Assembly Election will together bring a total of four dry days, the Election Commission has said.

The dry days would be on May 8, 9, 10 and 13, the Election Commission said. Karnataka will be voting on May 10, while the results would be declared on May 13.

Serving and selling of liquor will be banned in all establishments within the polling area during the period of 48 hours, ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of polling the commission said.

"This will include dates of re-poll, if any," the Election Commission of India Secretary, Sanjeev Kumar Prasad said in a letter to the Chief Secretary and Chief Electoral Officer.

Liquor sale would also be banned on the day of counting. The commission said that counting would begin on May 13 at 8 am.

"The storage of liquor by individuals shall be curtailed during the above period,"the commission also said in the letter. The commission also directed the state government to issue comprehensive orders to ensure that the measures are in place.

Paid holiday:

Meanwhile the Election Commission has written to the state and central government to grant a paid holiday to all workers on May 10. It noted that daily wagers who are working in shops and establishments are also entitled for the paid holiday.

"Even those electors, including casual workers, outside the constituency concerned would be entitled to the benefit of a paid holiday," the letter by the Election Commission of India to the state and central governments read while citing Section 135B of the Representation of People Act.